The Anthropic new AI model could arrive as the company weighs how to respond to OpenAI’s growing momentum with GPT-6 Astra, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The potential release comes at a sensitive time for Anthropic. The company is preparing for a possible initial public offering while also facing stronger competition in enterprise AI.
At the same time, CEO Dario Amodei has called for the industry to slow the pace of AI development because of safety concerns. In a 3,800-word essay published on September 12, Amodei argued that companies should move more cautiously as AI capabilities advance.
However, OpenAI’s latest model has quickly gained attention among businesses. As a result, some investors are reassessing Anthropic’s position in the enterprise AI market.
Anthropic declined to comment on the potential launch.
OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra raises competitive pressure
OpenAI released GPT-6 Astra on September 3. The company promoted improvements in areas including computer use, software engineering, cybersecurity and professional work.
Since then, Astra has gained traction with enterprise users and developers. According to Reuters, Astra represented about 13% of enterprise AI spending tracked by corporate expense platform Ramp. By comparison, Anthropic’s Claude Fable accounted for about 8%.
Meanwhile, OpenRouter data showed another shift in developer usage. Users spent more on OpenAI models than Anthropic models on the platform during the latest week reported by Reuters.
That marked the first time OpenAI had led Anthropic on that measure in more than two and a half years. Therefore, the change has added to investor scrutiny of Anthropic’s competitive position.
Anthropic weighs safety and spending
The possible launch is not simply a question of beating OpenAI to market.
One person familiar with Anthropic’s plans said the company is evaluating the safety of its next model as part of its decision. At the same time, executives are considering how much money to invest in new models while improving the company’s profitability.
That debate reflects a broader challenge across the AI industry. Companies have invested heavily in computing power, data centres and model development. However, investors are increasingly looking for clearer paths toward sustainable cash flow.
Rising interest rates have also increased pressure to show when large technology investments could produce profits. In addition, open-source and open-weight AI models, particularly from China, are creating more competition.
Anthropic still reports strong revenue growth
Despite the pressure from OpenAI, Anthropic continues to report rapid growth.
The company’s annualised revenue run rate exceeded $65 billion by the end of July, according to Reuters. That figure compares with about $9 billion at the end of 2025.
Anthropic is also projecting 2028 revenue of roughly $190 billion to $200 billion, while OpenAI’s annualised revenue run rate passed $40 billion in July.
However, investors do not necessarily expect one AI company to maintain the lead permanently.
New model releases can quickly change the competitive landscape. Consequently, any advantage gained by Anthropic, OpenAI, Google or another major developer could prove temporary as newer systems arrive.
Open-source AI creates another challenge
Beyond the rivalry with OpenAI, Anthropic faces a broader threat from open-source and open-weight AI models.
These systems can reduce token costs and allow businesses to develop more of their AI infrastructure internally. As a result, companies may become less dependent on commercial providers such as Anthropic and OpenAI.
That shift could put additional pressure on the economics of the AI industry. In particular, lower costs and greater choice could make it harder for leading providers to maintain high margins.
Meta Platforms has also been reported to be reducing its reliance on Anthropic while developing more AI capabilities internally. Meta did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
IPO timing remains uncertain
Anthropic’s potential model release comes as investors watch its plans for a public listing.
Reuters reported that the company could delay its IPO until after the November 2026 US midterm elections. The offering has already moved back from earlier plans, with marketing previously expected to begin no earlier than mid-October.
OpenAI, meanwhile, has said it will not go public in 2026. CEO Sam Altman cited concerns about AI safety when discussing the decision.
For now, Anthropic has not confirmed a launch date for its next model or a timetable for an IPO.
Nevertheless, the possibility of a new model highlights the difficult balance facing the company. Anthropic wants to maintain its reputation for AI safety while responding to rapid competition from OpenAI and other developers.
The next decision could therefore shape both its enterprise strategy and how investors view the company before it enters public markets.
